Kitchen Renovation - An Amazing Update!
7/15/2010 8:52:00 AM
By Fr. Jim Collins, SJ
 | | Before photo of antique porcelain sink and ancient cabinets and countertops |  |  | | Before. Notice the old counter-tops, regular household fridge and stove in disrepair. | |  | | During renovation. Stripped down to the bare walls before re-plastering everything. | |  | | After. Notice the stainless steel, 3 basin commercial SINK. | |  | | After. See the two door commercial refrigerator, rehabilitated stove and new deep fryer. | |  | | New closet and pantry space | |  | | |  | | The Pass-Thru Service window was remade with a stone counter-top. | |  | | Javier Arteaga and the team of PITW guys who worked together to bring the kitchen back to life. Muchas Gracias! |
The kitchen in the school basement has been completely renovated! It clearly had not been updated since its installation in the 1950's.
From rotting old cabinets to stainless steel tables! From an antique porcelain sink to a three basin stainless steel commercial kitchen sink! From a household refrigerator to an industrial two door fridge! The oven and burners have been refurbished! We even have a deep fryer for french fries!
Thanks to the coordinated donation of a closed restaurant we received many used but useful appliances. Someone saw our "Wish List" website and responded! We sold some of the donated appliances and used that money to completely restore the kitchen. We were able to plaster the ceiling, new lighting, drywall and plaster all the walls, re-tile the floors and update the electric and plumbing.
Now our Soup Kitchen cooks have a dignified place to prepare the meals. Our Kermes cooks can work in a clean and orderly place.
We are grateful to many people who worked to make this possible.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, for donating the kitchen equipment. Their kind benefaction made this all possible.
Mr Eric Turrin, from Equis Real Estate Group and School Patrons Board member. Eric used his connections to make it all happen.
Mr Stephen Miller, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, from Gensler Architects who carefully coordinated the removal.
Clune General Contractors: Tony Iannessa, Tom Durkin donated union labor to disconnect the appliances.
Joyce Brothers Movers - Scott Kacich donated movers to remove the many appliances.
Bob Foley, who painstakingly designed our new kitchen and was a great resource of information.
On site we are grateful to Ms. Jackie Negrete, Javier Arteaga and the many "Put Illinois To Work" summer workers who skillfully renovated the kitchen.
Upon seeing the renovated kitchen one of the soup kitchen cooks was shocked and thought she was in the wrong building! Several diners seemed to feel honored and dignified by these improvements to their facilities.
just wait till our school children return in August to see the remarkable transformation!
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